Ronny Paulino

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Ronny Paulino

| image = Ronny Paulino on June 10, 2012.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Paulino with the Baltimore Orioles

| team = Caliente de Durango

| position = Catcher / Manager

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|4|21}}

| birth_place = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 16

| debutyear = 2005

| debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = July 8

| finalyear = 2012

| finalteam = Baltimore Orioles

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .272

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 33

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 216

| teams =

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2008}})
Florida Marlins ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2010}})
New York Mets ({{mlby|2011}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2012}})

|show-medals=no

|medaltemplates=

{{Medal|Country|{{bb|DOM}}}}

}}

Ronny Leonel Paulino (born April 21, 1981) is a Dominican former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles. He is currently the manager for the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League.

Playing career

File:Ronny Paulino 2007.jpg in 2007]]

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

Paulino signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization on December 29, 1997, at the age of 16. In 2002, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule 5 draft, but he was returned to the Pirates in spring training of the following year. After making his major league debut in September 2005 with the Pirates, Paulino was selected to the Dominican Republic team for the 2006 World Baseball Classic as a backup catcher. The highlight of the World Baseball Classic for Paulino came on March 13, when Paulino started at catcher against the Cuban team. Paulino went 2–2 with a double, three walks, and a run scored in the Dominican's triumph over Cuba. On April 16, 2006, Paulino was recalled to the Major Leagues and quickly became the Pirates every day catcher. Eventually he was again demoted to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, as management would give Ryan Doumit the bulk of playing time behind the plate with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Paulino was praised by the Pirates pitching staff as an excellent catcher to work with. The staff earned run average (ERA) was markedly better when Paulino was behind the plate.{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06161/697211-63.stm |title=Pirates Notebook: Paulino still catching on behind plate |publisher=Post Gazette |date=June 10, 2006 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |first=Dejan |last=Kovacevic}}

His .310 batting average made him the first rookie catcher since Mike Piazza to play in at least 100 games and bat at least .310. He is only the second rookie catcher since 1969 to have those numbers.{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06270/725318-63.stm |title=Pirates Notebook: McClatchy is keeping his decision a mystery |publisher=Post Gazette |date=September 27, 2006 |access-date=August 20, 2010 |first=Paul |last=Meyer}}

=Florida Marlins=

On December 10, 2008, Paulino was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league catcher Jason Jaramillo.{{cite news |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3711945&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403043037/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3711945&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2012 |title=Phillies acquire Paulino |publisher=Philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com |date=December 29, 1997 |access-date=August 20, 2010}} He was then traded to the San Francisco Giants on March 27, 2009, in exchange for pitcher Jack Taschner. Two hours later he was traded to the Florida Marlins in exchange for pitcher Hector Correa.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Haft |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090327&content_id=4079550&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Giants acquire, then trade Paulino |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=March 27, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2010}}

With the Marlins, Pauline platooned with left-handed hitting catcher John Baker. After Baker suffered a season-ending injury in May 2010, Paulino took over starting duties for the majority of the season. On August 20, 2010, Paulino received a 50-game suspension for violation of baseball's drug policy. Paulino claimed the positive test was a result of a dietary pill.{{cite news |first=Alden |last=Gonzalez |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100820&content_id=13700366&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Paulino suspended for positive PED test |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=August 20, 2010}}

=New York Mets=

File:Mets Catcher Ronny Paulino at bat.jpg]]

On December 9, 2010, the New York Mets signed Paulino to a one-year, major league contract.{{cite news |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101209&content_id=16290480&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Mets complete Paulino, Carrasco deals |last=DiComo |first=Anthony |date=December 9, 2010 |work=Mlb.com |access-date=February 12, 2014}} On May 1, 2011, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Paulino went 5–7 and hit the game-winning RBI in the 14th inning in his first game as with the Mets.{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=310501122&print=1 |title=Paulino leads Mets past Phillies in 14 |date=May 2, 2011 |access-date=May 5, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |work=Yahoo! Sports}} With the news of the death of Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader who was the mastermind of the September 11 attacks circulating during the game against their rivals, Mets manager Terry Collins said that Paulino delivered "a good win for us, and obviously a huge win for America tonight."{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6463361 |title=Phillies crowd erupts in 'U-S-A' cheers |date=May 2, 2011 |access-date=May 2, 2011 |first=Adam |last=Rubin |work=ESPNNewYork.com}} On June 8, Paulino hit his first home run with the Mets, a three-run home run off of the Milwaukee Brewers Kameron Loe. In 78 appearances for New York, he batted .268/.312/.351 with two home runs and 19 RBI. On December 13, Paulino became a free agent after the Mets decided not to tender his contract.{{cite web |title=Non-Tender News: New York Mets Cut Ronny Paulino and Mike Baxter |url=http://www.mets101.com/2011/12/13/non-tender-news-new-york-mets-cut-ronny-paulino-and-mike-baxter/}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

The Baltimore Orioles signed Paulino to a minor league contract on January 30, 2012. He also received an invitation to spring training, but arrived three weeks late to camp after having visa issues.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120314&content_id=27270218¬ebook_id=27270220&vkey=notebook_bal&c_id=bal |title=Wada reports no pain after simulated game |first=Brittany |last=Ghiroli |work=mlb.com |date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2014}} Paulino made the Orioles' 2012 Opening Day roster after Taylor Teagarden, newly signed by the team to be the backup catcher, went on the disabled list due to back problems.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120330&content_id=27758876&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |title=With Teagarden to DL, roster taking shape |first=Brittany |last=Ghiroli |work=mlb.com |date=March 30, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2014}} In the second game of the season, Paulino made his first start of the year as the designated hitter and went 4-for-4.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20439993&c_id=mlb |title=Paulino's big day |work=mlb.com |date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=February 12, 2014}} On July 15, Paulino was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides to make room for Teagarden, who was coming off from the 60-day disabled list.

On January 25, 2013, Paulino signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He was released prior to the start of the season on March 30.

On May 15, 2013, Paulino signed a minor league contract to return to the Baltimore Orioles organization.

=Detroit Tigers=

On August 13, 2013, the Orioles assigned Paulino to the Toledo Mud Hens, the Detroit Tigers Triple-A affiliate.{{cite web |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/13/the-orioles-send-ronny-paulino-to-the-tigers/ |title=The Orioles send Ronny Paulino to the Tigers |last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |date=August 13, 2013 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=August 15, 2013}} He re-signed with the Tigers on November 13, to fill minor league organizational depth.{{cite web |last=Schmehl |first=James |url=http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2013/11/report_detroit_tigers_sign_cat.html |title=Detroit Tigers sign catcher Ronny Paulino to a minor league deal |publisher=mlive.com |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013}}

On February 12, 2014, Paulino was suspended 100 games by Major League Baseball for a second PED-related offense.{{cite web |last=Snyder |first=Matt |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24440571/ronny-paulino-suspended-100-games-for-second-ped-related-offense |title=Ronny Pauline suspended 100 games for second PED-related offense |publisher=cbssports.com |date=February 12, 2014 |access-date=February 12, 2014}} He was released by the Tigers organization on July 19.

=Sultanes de Monterrey=

On April 28, 2015, Paulino signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. In 44 appearances for Monterrey, he batted .273/.356./.413 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

=Piratas de Campeche=

On June 24, 2015, Paulino was traded to the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. In 42 appearances for Campeche, he slashed .377/.442/.572 with six home runs and 19 RBI. Paulino was released by the Piratas on February 15, 2016.

=Vaqueros Laguna=

On May 3, 2016, Paulino signed with the Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League. In 44 games for Laguna, he batted .269/.335/.378 with four home runs and 20 RBI. Paulino was released by the Vaqueros on June 27.

=Olmecas de Tabasco=

On July 1, 2016, Paulino signed with the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. In 34 games for Tabasco, he batted .313/.355/.420 with three home runs, 15 RBI, and three stolen bases. Paulino was released by Tabasco on February 27, 2017.

Coaching career

On February 7, 2023, Paulino was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization to serve as the bench coach and hitting coach for their Single-A affiliate, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.{{Cite web|title=Coaching Staff in Place for 2023 Season|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/coaching-staff-in-place-for-2023-season/n-5922477|access-date=2023-02-12|website=oursportscentral.com|date=7 February 2023 |language=en}} On February 23, 2024, Paulino was announced as the bench coach for the Double–A Tulsa Drillers.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers 2024 minor league coaching staffs|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2024/2/23/24049168/dodgers-minor-league-coaching-staffs-2024|access-date=February 25, 2024|website=truebluela.com|date=February 23, 2024 |language=en}}

On February 6, 2025, Paulino was hired to serve as the manager for the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 6 de febrero de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-6-de-febrero-de-2025|access-date=February 7, 2025|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}}

International career

He was selected Dominican Republic national baseball team at 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, 2006 World Baseball Classic, 2019 Pan American Games Qualifier{{cite web | url=https://prepan2019beisebol.com.br/dominicana/ | title=DOMINICANA | work=Prē Pan 19 | language=pt | access-date=March 9, 2019 | archive-date=April 4, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404051049/https://prepan2019beisebol.com.br/dominicana/ | url-status=dead }} and 2019 Pan American Games.